T Green, David Weaver, and Calvin Vo in Zooted Suits
What's up, Doc? Stressed? Need a mind massage, a warm hug for your heart, a relaxing hot shower for your soul? If you're desperate for a breather, there's an oasis in the desert, a rainbow after the storm – yes, Virginia, even a Santa Claus – and its name is Haus of Ruckus.
Has it really been only three-and-a-half years since they won my heart with their first production "Jacques"alope? (Answer: Yes.) The founders of this comedic theatrical ensemble, T Green and Calvin Vo, are serving their latest smörgåsbord – Zooted Suits, a merrie medley of classic-cartoon parodies – at the Black Box Theatre. I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!
Written by the creators and directed by Green, it features Johnny (Vo) and Fungus (Green), that preposterous pair of perplexed pals. This go-round, they miraculously get hired at Bart Zippy Studios, producer of Johnny's favorite toon. Johnny is thrilled to become an animator, given that he has no art skills or even enough sense to remove his bathrobe before applying, and Fungus fails upward due to his winning smile, becoming assistant to a string of increasingly ridiculous execs on phones behind desks, all assayed by the wonderfully accomplished Jeremy Mahr.
David Weaver plays the exhausted current Animator – yep, there's just one. In fact, the studio is so short-staffed that the nameless Animator performs every production job, including his own rage-filled supervisor. Weaver becomes a live-action cartoon, exchanging dialogue with himself while dashing hither, thither, and yon. At one point, he tosses a prop from character to character – that is, self to self – across the stage. Thufferin' thuccotash! Amazing, and hilariously entertaining.
Then Johnny displeases someone who, unfortunately, wields a large pencil and erases him (an effect accomplished by a cute-and-cheap practical stage effect). Thus, he's sent to a purgatory for animated has-beens and never-wases. Johnny consequently meets two Tom-and-Jerry-style adversaries. (Or Itchy-and-Scratchy, Bugs-and-Fudd ... pick any murderous duo you want.) Green is Yoinky and Sarah Goodall and Vo share Bonkers duty, Goodall handling the puppet when Johnny becomes part of their world. Goodall's timing and execution in delivering Bonkers' catchphrase to the audience are exquisite.
Keenen Wilson plays Al Gaytor, resplendent in a yellow Cab Calloway-flavored, not-quite-a Zoot suit. I adore Wilson not only for his many talents and polish, but for his commitment to every role on any stage. He's always present and in character, and here also sings lead in a song (hooray!) with lyrics by Vo and music by Robert Chaney. The always-delightful Max Robnett portrays Canis (Latin for "dog"), a classically inclined, mournful pup puppet, relegated to real-dog roles instead of standing upright in pants. Robnett has a marvelous upper-class British accent and a fine singing voice, and also a brief cameo as a previous Haus of Ruckus character.
Bella Kuta plays Tabby Cat, a sex-kittenish Felix the Cat/Betty Boop mashup with her own Disney/Fleischer Studios catchphrase. Kuta is evolving as a lively stage presence, better every time I see her. Terry Green, T's father, amusingly takes on the role of studio founder Bart Zippy in a sepia-toned promotional film, one made even funnier by its editing. He also plays the studio's first star Cubey Cheese, whose vernacular is as dated as he is. (This upcoming weekend, Jay Rakus will take on that role.) Andres Garcia plays Wizzy Cheese, Cubey's rebooted relation, and he shines. Garcia's earnest yet underplayed enthusiasm and slightly awkward, stilted use of dated rap slang are genuinely fresh. For real for real. Speaking of real, the enigmatic Snappy the Sprite, Johnny's own original character, unfortunately comes alive; people-sized and deadly. The portrayer is uncredited, which means, of course, that Snappy is real. (Nah – it's actually Vo.)
The realm of the erased ones includes scribbles which never made it to celluloid. They're sometimes included in the action, which is kinda heartwarming. And there are wacky sound effects! Running about! Lit dynamite! Music! Clown hammers! A piano drop! And real animation, by Davy Behm. Also be sure to pay attention to the Looney-Tunes-inspired credits onscreen at the beginning.
Juliette Carizey, as usual, provides the excellent costumes. Vo did the sound, projections, props, and puppets. Production values are high all around, which is a Haus of Ruckus hallmark. However, at times during Friday's opening night, I sensed a lack of energy on stage, which was rare for a Haus of Ruckus production. If the cast was exhausted rehearsing this extravaganza, though, it's understandable. (I hope everyone is okay.)
You don't have to know vintage toons to appreciate Zooted Suits. As ever, ithe company's latesy includes references to other entertainments, including a Godfather-inspired hug and a nod to fans of sparkly vampires. No doubt I missed some bits that you won't. Haus of Ruckus' latest also includes the F-word, and no sex, but plenty of violence. Cartoon violence, natch – adult objection to which led to the 1990 Children's Television Act, part of what killed Saturday-morning cartoons. ¡Ay, caramba! But I assure you: This production is a genuine respite from real-world calamities. It's fun, it's funny, it's fundamentally Ruckus. And tha-tha-tha-that's all, folks!
Zooted Suits runs at the Black Box Theatre (1623 Fifth Avenue, Moline IL) through May 4, and more information and tickets are available by visiting Haus of Ruckus' Facebook page.
